Q: Hello Madame. My landlord sent me a notice to increase rent on the renewal of tenancy, 90 days in advance before the end of the contract. However, no rent increase is permitted as per RERA Rental Index, as such, I refused the increase and asked him to renew the tenancy at the same rent as last year. He refused and asked me to vacate upon tenancy completion which is on 14-Feb. Now, he is threatening to come to the house, and force me to vacate on 14-Feb. What are my legal options? I want to continue living in this house, and pay the same rent, as last year, as no increase is permitted as per RERA Rent Index.

Q: Hi, The tenant is refusing the rent increase according to the Dubai rent calculator and the contract expired. Is there a way to evict him accordingly or do I have to send him 1-year notice as normal?

Q: Hi, My villa is rented since August 2018 for 155000 pa, payment was agreed upon by 2 cheques, and Ejari was registered in 2018. In August 2020 (COVID Time), I was outside the UAE and the tenant asked me to lower the rent to 142000 and offered to pay monthly rental payments by bank transfer. Due to the COVID situation, I accepted his offer by email and since then, the tenant pays rent monthly through bank transfers. In April 2022 (which is 90 days to renewal in August 2022), I sent him an email to rent review as the rental value for my villa increased. However, the tenant did not agree and kept saying there is no rent increase for my villa. We exchanged several emails. and no conclusion. Now in October 2022, I have obtained a rental valuation certificate from DLD which states the current rental value is 200000. I will appreciate your advice about how to proceed with the rental increase, and what is my legal position in this issue. The tenancy agreement and Ejari are officially not renewed for the last few years.

Q: My lease contract expires at the end of this month and I have not received an increase notification. Can the landlord increase my rent?

Q: Hello, I have two questions: 1. When can a landlord issue a termination notice to the tenant? 2. When can a landlord issue a rent increase notice to the tenant? Best Regards,

Q: My tenants wish to renew their contracts but unfortunately, we are unable to agree on the increased rental price to reflect the significant changes in the market over the past year. Instead, they quote that the RERA rental price index suggests that no increase is in fact allowed despite the fact that no property can be found at that price in the same area. Given the fact we are unable to agree, am I correct in my understanding that now I must give them a new contract upon the expiry of the old one at below market rates? Also, can I invoke the 12-month notice period to vacate, as stated in their current contract (I could have done this before now but chose not to), via email? Thank you in advance for your responses.

Q: Hi, We sent a renewal notice to our Dubai-based tenant 84 days before his contract renewal, with a 10% increase in rent. The tenant neither agreed nor disagreed with the proposed rent and replied on the day of renewal that he wouldn't be paying the proposed rent. Due to the argument, the landlord decided to reduce the rent, but the tenant has not yet renewed his contract. It has been 12 days since his contract expired. Kindly suggest what could be done in this matter.

Q: Hello, Under UAE rental law, can a landlord increase rent during the term of a rental agreement?

An interview-format article covering the topic of residential retail properties pertaining to the liability for property maintenance and the repercussions of defaulting on rent payments in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The provisions of this Law apply to real property leased out in the Emirate of Dubai, including vacant and agricultural lands, but excluding hotel establishments and real property provided by natural or legal persons as accommodation to their employees at no charge.

Provisions of this Law supersede articles (2), (3), (4), (9), (13), (14), (15), (25), (26), (29), and (36) of Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. 

This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.